EPISODE #1 > I’m not sure how many episodes this may inspire, but all my life I have been aware, at least in my own mind, of an interesting parallel between Martial Arts and the call to marry Christ. The Cobra Kia series has now inspired me to try to put in words what I see in my head. And I need to do it now while I am waiting for the final episodes to come out in a few days. I need to write it now, while I do not know what they plan to do with the ending of this incredible series. What message do they intend to send?

I know the message that seems so clear to me, and I think it would be such a great way to preach a badly needed word in our time. It would be a “meaningful” word given in a proper season. A word of values, discipline, and wisdom. What is martial arts supposed to really be about? Is it supposed to be Miyagi Do, or Cobra Kia? The way of peace and balance? Or pride and violence?

You see, I grew up in the age of Kung Fu, Bruce Lee, Green Hornet, Shang Chi, and all the rest. Kung Fu was my first exposure. I remember this solitary guy wondering the desert, needing little, humble, honorable, a man of values and integrity, and yet he was also a warrior. This image left a strong memory in my mind. It greatly appealed to me.

Martial Arts was not about looking for a fight, but to avoid a fight, or only fight to save your own life, or defend someone in danger. But as time passed, their arose a deadly martial arts all about winning. Strike first! No mercy! And suddenly there were these two different perspectives. The Karate Kid and Cobra Kai has done such a beautiful job of showing this. Is martial arts all about the win? Or do we seek balance, peace, health, honor, and bravery used in a good way?

As a young Christian I could not help but notice the similarities about discipline, a way of life, focus, spiritual warrior, learning how it all works, training the mind in the ways of the Spirit. In Karate Kid, Mr. Miyagi does not like tournaments. He teaches young Daniel a different way, symbolized by a beautiful tree.

Johnny Lawrence, on the other hand, was trained in the way of the fist. Strike first! Violence! No mercy. There is power in martial arts. There is also power in Christianity. But you got to learn how it works. You can remain a white belt Christian; or grow, learn how it really works, always reaching towards a higher belt. A greater light in Christ. It only works one way. We either learn that way and submit to it, or we get very weak and mixed results.

I dabbled in Martial Arts in my younger years. I tried several styles. Some of it took place while I was in the Army for four years. For reasons I’ll explain later, Aikido became my favorite, or at least the idea of it. But I noticed my martial arts always seemed to compete with my devotion to Christianity. It was like trying to be Black Belt in two different forms of fighting was too much for me. I know there are some Sensei out there who have done both, but I couldn’t seem to do it. I was forced to choose one or the other.

Sometimes I wish I would have tried harder to do both. I live my life very spartan-like. I live as a man on a mission, always seeking a more powerful life in my Lord. It’s not easy. In Christianity it is like up is down and down is up. When I am weak then am I strong. Much understanding going contrary to how we often think.

As a man, I’ve had to learn what it means to be the Lord’s Bride. I’ve written a whole book on it and a second is in the works. The Bride is Black Belt Christianity, but the “child” of God is not. The Bride will make the rapture. The spiritual “child” likely will not. That’s another subject, but just giving some idea of things to be learned that are very challenging, like martial arts, and requires great focus and devotion. Great training of mind, body, and spirit.

I’ve always wanted to write something of this nature, the parallels between physical martial arts and the spiritual in Christ, so to speak. But now I must give my idea of how Cobra Kia should end, before I write too many words. There will be time for other stuff later.

The main point I see in all this is, Mr. Miyagi was right! And thereby, so is Daniel LaRusso. However, the peaceful way is always attacked by the violent way! Daniel is constantly ignored! His words undermined by the violent way. He is torn between the two! Should we be the Bird of Peace or Bird of Prey? Johnny Lawrence is constantly in contention with him as he struggles with his own demons, and he influences the Miyagi do! He knows LaRusso is right, but cannot seem to help himself!

Johnny wants to be Eagle Fang! Bird of prey! Kreece was his Sensei and taught him the way of the fist. Taught him violent and prideful ways, and now he struggles with it all. His life has been a mess! Both Kreece and Silvers do a great job of showing the dark side of it all, and Johnny is like someone infected by their evil virus, as he struggles to heal and be free. Have we ever felt like Johnny? Have we ever been LaRusso, with the right answers, but no one is listening? Does something horrible have to happen before we see the light and change?

We find out Miyagi had the horrible experience that an opponent died in his tournament fight. He no longer wanted anything to do with the violent way, and the tournament way of going for the win at all cost. What he taught LaRusso was right! But not as popular as the pride that goes with winning. Young people so easily influenced by arrogant but foolish people. People who appear to have worldly success, but they are unpeaceful and always craving on the inside.

And now, as the greatest of all tournaments just broke out in complete violence and chaos, and a young man dies, what is the message they intend to say? What are they about to bring out of this mess? Will the way of Kreese, Johnny, and Cobra Kia finally be exposed as terrible training for a life having value, and Miyagi Do declared to be the right path? LaRusso finally vindicated in everyone’s eyes? People finally willing to let him lead? Let him teach?

In my script, the head of the tournament would declare them all losers! No winner this year! You have all failed at the true spirit of Karate! Go home and think about what you have done here. The rest of the episodes would be about Miyagi Do and LaRusso being vindicated as the disciple of Mr. Miyagi, and that there is a good way, full of meaning, value, truth, passion, purpose and peacefulness of soul.

The kids would no longer be torn between two messages, but after such a horrible experience, seeing where all the pride and violence led, every heart would be yearning for the better way. In my life that way is God. In my life that way is learning and training myself in how the Word of God, and Holy Spirit of God, reveals it all actually works. To not remain the spiritual child unwilling to learn and grow. To not remain self serving, but realize the power of self-sacrifice. To take up my cross as a true disciple, not a fat and lazy Christian.

What will it take before we learn? Even now our country is trying to take a better path, but there are those only concerned about the win, even though the country plainly spoke! Evidently they don’t care! It’s all about them! They don’t care what the majority of this country wants. And it’s not about what is right, it’s about them being EXPOSED as evil! They want to kill the messenger because of the truth of his message! They don’t want exposed for the evil they are! They are evil! Don’t listen to their diversionary tactics! The king has no clothes! They still don’t seem to realize how naked they are! They don’t want to admit they have been terribly wrong and greatly hurt this country.

It’s time for the LaRussos to be heard. We want peace, not war. We want true leaders, integrity, and transparency, not liars and cover up. We want true freedom again, not censorship and Communistic ways. Are we ready to be the blooming Bonzi Tree, and not the snake? Have we seen enough? Are we ready for the good of the country more than our own good? Could we see such a golden age? Could it really happen? After so many painful and stress-filled years of struggle, could we enjoy such a peace? Wouldn’t that be something?

In my ending, Mr. Miyagi and the LaRussos would finally be sought after and heard. The Kreeces and Silvers put to shame! Exposed in every way! And the Johnnys finally find the way of peace like the prodigal son coming home to his father. That’s where I would take this show.

And all you Hollywood actors who think you’re so smart and we’re too dumb to see truth? Just stick to your acting. It’s the one thing you’re good at. Give me a good show I can find true meaning and value in. That’s a great power when done rightly. Remember, we are the final judges of what you put out. Without a win for us, there’s no win for you either. Just saying.